1. You are growing a community of architects in Tanzania. Why?
I wouldn’t really say its a growing community because architects in Tanzania have been there since the early 1950’s (with specific reference to Tanzania’s first Architect Anthony Almeida). The “growing” aspect may be considered in the sense that we are doing our best to create more awareness about the architectural profession and what its really all about. If you take a survey of 10 citizens of any city in East Africa (each from different backgrounds, profession, etc.), chances are that only 1 out the 10 would know who an architect is. Many times architects are referred to as engineers, and yet these two are very different disciplines.
Our aim and target, as I mentioned before, is to change this notion. Architecture in its simplest description is about creating an aesthetically well functioning space for people. It is being able to create an environment (buildings or even open spaces) that people can comfortably relate to without having to feel foreign in their own space. Once we are able to get people to understand their spaces and all the other aspects associated to the built environment, then we can confidently say we have a community of space cautious minds.
2. Print is an instrumental medium for Anza magazine. Considering the plethora of other mediums available to your audience, why was print selected, and do you imagine that it will evolve?
You have to admit that there is a very distinct experience between reading something in hard copy and reading the same thing online. That said however, ANZA magazines main goal is to be the platform for which people can discuss and create the awareness about architecture. To be able to do that, we want to be able to create content that someone can be able to experience and appreciate. We have content that is designed to be timeless. If you pick up our Issue 1 today, the articles and images will still feel fresh and present.
We definitely have online versions which we make public after a specific time following the release of an issue. We are also currently working on e-sales so that the magazine will be available immediately after we release. That way we will have both print and online versions, allowing our readers to have a choice.
I will stress again though that print will always have a more lasting and respected impact on people. If you’re still not convinced, I would like you to watch the video below by our friends in the design community. They made a very nice explanation as to why print is still the most effective medium of communication.
3. How are the Anza magazine publications and events sustained?
From the beginning of ANZA magazine in 2011, we have been fortunate to receive grants and donations from well wishers, which is all specifically allocated to facilitating the production of the magazine. Just to give a quick history, Issue 1 was sponsored by Camenzind Switzerland as part of the participation in the Global City – Local Identity symposium in Dar es salaam. Issue 2 was sponsored by Arch. Kaisi Kalambo who is a renown architect based in Tanzania. He had been of lowing our progress from Issue 1 and stingily believed in us. While we were working on Issue 2, we were contacted by British Council London to be a part of the 2012 London Design Festival. We were awarded a full grant to go to London and produce Issue 3. In 2013, we were then selected to be sub-grantees to an EU funded project Dar es salaam Centre for Architectural Heritage (DARCH). This grant covered production of Issue 4 and will also cover the production of the next 5 issues until Issue 9.
I would like to point out that ANZA magazine started in 2011, when we were all students of Architecture School, Ardhi University. None of us had any prior experience with magazine production, company management, etc. It has all been an on-job learning experience; one that my team and I would not regret at any given time. Driven by our passion, love and faith in what we do, we have volunteered our time, energy and even money into the ANZA magazine you see and we see in 20 years. Although working part time on what seems to be an already steadily established organization, ANZA magazine today is sustained by the vision that we all share. We are also strong believers in God and surely he does have a way of rewarding us and keeping the company growing everyday.
Nevertheless now that we have part A (the magazine) of our plan steadily covered we are now working on our sustainability plan. We are now doing part B (the events). We only recently started to have big events like the ANZA Upcycle Fiesta. We are working with different consultants who are guiding us into the sustainability plan for the company. The events, sales and subscriptions from the magazine among others are already working in our favor. We believe we will soon be a fully fledged company in the next 2 years focusing on architectural communication and awareness.
4. Would you say space is utilized efficiently in Tanzania? Would you say it is utilized beautifully? Is there a difference?
I would say no to both. For something to be beautiful it has been created with efficiency. Tanzania is a very beautiful country and the possibilities of what to do with the space both efficient and beautifully are endless. However, I would say that people are 1) playing it safe and 2) not seeing the value in way they have right before their eyes. Just like most African cities, many have deceived themselves that to be beautiful you must copy what is done abroad. This notion is far from true otherwise we wouldn’t have tourism. People travel to different parts of the world to get and experience different from their everyday context. Tanzania needs to enhance this through efficiently using their resources, objects, spaces, etc. This is our aim with the ANZA Upcycle Series. We will be having a number of events and activities that will deliberately open public eyes to the beautiful spaces that are right before their eyes.
5. Can Anza magazine propose an ideal philosophy how people should interact with their space in Tanzania?
ANZA magazine is all about people and spaces. We believe that two aspects are inseparable; people create spaces and spaces can very easily determine how people can interact with it. I personally like to say look at what you have around you first and see how best to maximize and efficiently use it. Then afterwards you can look to other sources to simply support your original creation. A famous architect known as Mies van de Rohe always said, “Less is more”. We as ANZA magazine believe this is very true for is in the simplicity if things that the beauty is enhanced. Every space tells a story.
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